Dr. Francis Joseph (Doc) Bradford, age 93, of Richland Center, Wisconsin, passed away at his home on February 4, 2016 after a brief illness. The oldest of nine children, he was born on August 25, 1922 to Joseph and Ellen (Nixon) Bradford. His veterinary education at Iowa State College was interrupted by service with the US Army in Europe in 1945. Upon his discharge he resumed his education at Colorado State College where he met another veterinary student, Virginia Mutz. After graduation, they were married on July 9, 1949 in Prescott, Arizona.
They came to Richland Center in the fall of 1949 as associates of Dr. R.D. “Dick†Shireman. Upon Dr. Shireman’s death in 1956 they purchased the practice. Doc Bradford remained in active veterinary practice until his retirement in 1993. Religion, family, politics, and hunting were the cornerstones of his life. He attended daily mass after retirement until two weeks before his death. He traveled with family members to Argentina, Australia, Ireland and England. He loved elk hunting on the Mutz ranch in northern New Mexico. He was always eager to talk politics with anyone, at any time. Survivors include his wife, Virginia, of Richland Center; seven children, Michael (Sheila), Patricia, Daniel, David, Mary (Thomas Barna) , Kelly and John; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; one brother James (Mary); four sisters Eileen, Virginia (Neil)Fitzmorris, Rita Larson and Madonna Hosch; three in-laws, Earl Mortenson, Jennie Mutz and Tena Moore; plus many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Father John and Edward; one sister, Sister Jeannine; three in-laws, Helen Mortenson, Robert Mutz, and Don Moore; and one great grandson, Nathan Joseph Murray. Visitation will be held at the Stafford Funeral Home in Richland Center on Monday, February 8, from 4 pm to 8 pm, with a rosary by the Knights of Columbus at 7:30 pm. Visitation will also be held from 10:00 am until the time of Mass at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Church on Tuesday, February 9. Monsignor Roger Scheckel will officiate with burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery where military graveside rites will be conducted by the Local Veterans Military Memorial Honors Unit. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to either St. Mary’s School or the American Legion Post 13. |